Welding electrode holder



Nov. 16, 1948. w, TlNNELL 2,453,768

WELDING ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Oct. 18, 1 946 39 A? A; t 28 IN VENTOR. m /5 Myrzq TznneJ] BY WW Patented Nov. 16, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in welding electrode holders, and particularly to an electrode holder with a spring clamped releasable electrode.

One of the objects of the invention is taprovide in an electrode holder, means for quickly inserting and releasing welding electrodes with a minimum of effort.

Another object is to provide a device of the class described which is durable of construction, simple or operation, positive of action, and capable of manufacture at low cost.

A further object of the-invention lies in the provision of a novel insulated handle member, the removal of which exposes the entire operating mechanism without disassembly thereof, thus making inspection, repairs, and replacement of parts a relatively simple matter.

Another object is the provision of a non-conductive clamping shaft or plunger, precluding the possibility of electric shock to the opera-tor of the device.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the means described in the following specifications and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device with-the handle and nose pieceremoved.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinalcross section of the de vice, showing all parts assembled.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of' the rear and forward sleeves with their integral connecting arms.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the assembled device, taken on line 41-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the handle of the device.

In general, welding electrode holders heretofore considered practical and effective, have been characterizedby complicated mechanism in their design, and sometimes by a lackof safety in the use of the-devices. It is desirable that the parts of such devices be simplifiedandreduced in number, and that they be coordinated-in such a manner as to facilitate and expedite assembly in production, and disassembly for servicing purposes. The electrode holder of thepresent invention, as will be disclosed, is of extremely simple construction, and all safety factors havebeen taken into consideration in itsdesign. The con struction is such that thev holder can be quickly disassembled in various stages by the mere removal of one or more common screws, and maximum simplicity renders it capable of being fabricated at a very low cost.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, theelectric current supplywline I2 is securelyfastened, .by suitable means such as screws I1, within the bore l3 of a metallic socket or abutment member [4, said member having a reduced end I6 and a shoulder [5. The reduced end I6 is disposed within the sleeve of a metallic cage member Ill, and may be secured therein against sliding and rotative movement by means of a set screw I9, the rear end face of the sleeve 18. being in abutting relationship with the shoulder l5 of the abutment member M. The forward face .Zil of the reduced end 16 furnishes a seat for the compression spring 2lwhich extends forwardly to. constantly project an insulated clamping shaft 22. The shaft 22,-preferably fabricated fromfiber or other insulating material of infrangible qualities, is slidably disposed Within a forward sleeve .23 of the cage member. Sleeve'23. may be connected with the rear sleeve .18 through the medium of twoor more arms 24 spaced apart in parallelism, as an integral structure.

The rear sleeve l8 and the forward sleeve 23. of the cage member are in axial. alignment, and the forward sleeve may be. provided with an. interior stop 240., which serves to limit the extent to: which the forward. portion 25. of the-shaftlE may project through the reduced bore 26 of the forward sleeve 23as said shaftisurged forwardly by the force of the spring 2|. The shoulder 21 of the shaft abuts against the stop 24a of the forward sleeve, when the electrode is removed from the holder. Areduced end 28. of the clamping shaft 22 servesto center the'spring 2!.

The clampingshaft 22has a transverse bore 29 therein adapted to receive theweldingelectrode 3D, the diameter of the bore being somewhat larger than that of theelectrode. Arcuate notches 3| for-med on the inner face-t5 of the sleeve 23, and in axial alignment with the transverse bore29- of the shaft 22-, accommodate the electrode 130, which is clamped into the aligned notches 3| by the force of spring 2| which" yieldingly projects the clamping shaft carrying the electrode forward. The electrode 30gby its contact with the forward sleeve 23, is charged by the current in supply line I 2rsecuredto the member M.

A nose piece 32 comprises a cup of fiber or other insulating material having an opening-33*therein to register with a set screw 34 threaded into the aperture 35 in the forward sleeve 23. Set screw 34 does not reach the-reciprocable shaft '22 but merely serves to secure the nose piece in fixed relationship to the sleeve 23. A bore 36 is provided in the nose piece for slidably receiving the for ward-endzsofithe shaft 22,- hich projects therethrough as indicated in Fig. 2. Transverse notches 31 are provided in the f 38 of the nose piece 32, the said notches being in axial alignment with the bore 29 in the shaft 22 when the nose piece is positioned on the forward sleeve as shown in Fig. 2. To assure unobstructed contact of the electrode with the notches sf of the forward sleeve 23, and to permit axial sliding movement of the electrode, the notches El in the nose piece are of a substantially greater radius than the notches M in the forward sleeve. As indicated in Fig. 2, the end face 33 of the nose piece is on a plane with the longitudinal axis of the electrode.

A handle 39 (Fig. 3) of insulating material such as fiber or the like, is adapted to snugly embrace the remaining parts of the device, and may at one end abut the nose piece 32, while preferably extending beyond the socket member M at its opposite end. Axially aligned notches ill in the end face 4| of the handle cooperate with the similar notches 3'! in the nose piece, to provide an oversize opening assuring free axial movement of the electrode as it is inserted into or released from the bore 29 of shaft 22. An aperture 42 in the fiber handle is located to register with the set screw l9 which secures the rear sleeve 48 to the reduced end E6 of member it, said aperture L 2 permitting access to the set screw it. The set screw I9, the length of which is substantially equal to the diameter of the sleeve I8, is threaded through the apertures 43 of the rear sleeve iii. In order to preclude rotative and sliding movement of the handle upon the parts M, iii, and 24, the set screw l9 may be partially withdrawn into the handle aperture 42, as indicated in Fig. 2, or it may be screwed down until the end face of the screw contacts the inner wall of the handle, either method being effective in precluding the aforementioned rotative and sliding movement of the handle.

When release of the electrode is to be effected, the operator of the device need only press the end face 44 of the shaft 22 against any firm surface, thereby to relieve the clamping action upon the electrode, and withdraw the latter from the bore 29. When the electrode is removed, the shaft 22 is projected forward by the force of the spring 2! to a limited extent, that is, to the point where the shaft shoulder 21 abuts the inner stop 24a of the forward sleeve 23. The axis of bore 29, when the electrode 39 is removed from said bore, extends substantially forwardly of the axis of the notch 3| in the sleeve 23. When the electrode is to be inserted into the device, the operator presses the end face M of the clamping shaft against any firm surface until the bore 29 is in approximate registry with the notch 49 of handle 39. The electrode may then be inserted into the bore 29, and the pressure against the shaft end face 44 released. The force of spring 2! against the clamping shaft 22 projects said shaft for wardly to the extent that the electrode is firmly clamped against notch iii of the sleeve 23.

In order to preclude rotative movement of the clamping shaft 22 within the forward sleeve 23, a longitudinal groove 45 may be provided in said shaft, the groove being in alignment with the set screw 34. This set screw may be sufficient length to enter said groove and permit reciprocative but not rotative movement of the clamping shaft, while at the same time maintaining the nose piece :2 in fixed relationship with the forward sleeve It is to be understood, of course, that the socket '1 may be slid forwardly off the shaft end 25.

part l4 and the cage member of Fig. 3 are to be fabricated from metal of high conductivity, such as brass, bronze, copper, or the like, in order to carry the necessary current from the supply line l2 to the Welding electrode 39. The insulated handle 39 need not necessarily be cylindrical in form, but may be a polygonal tube or a tube pro vided with finger-grip grooves or the like, as may be desired. The handle, however, shall be 1cngitudinally slidable to the left along the socket part and the cage member, upon merely advancing the screw l9 until it constitutes no obstruction to movement of the handle. With the handle thusly retracted, all of the operating mechanism is fully exposed for inspection, or for replacement of parts if necessary.

It may be noted that spring 2 i, being normally under compression, imposes always a lateral thrust upon the set screw it, so that the screw thereby is retained against accidental displacement. Removal of this screw, however, i the only act necessary to completely disassociate the socket member M from the cage member and from the handle, the spring, and the clamp shaft 22. With equal facility, these parts may be assembled and maintained in operative relationship by means of the single screw Hi.

In the event that the fiber nose 32 and the handle 39 become unserviceable due to burning or destruction from other causes, they may easily be replaced without disassembling the entire device, by the simple expedient of removing the screw 34 and advancing the screw ill sufficiently to free the handle, whereupon both fiber parts To do this, it is necessary to remove the electrode of course. The connection between the socket member M and the conductor and that between the socket member and the cage element ill, need not be disturbed in so replacing handles and nose pieces when necessary.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in the structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the pended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the handle as stated may be of any suitable insulating material, and need not necessarily be cylindrical in form, so long as it is tubular. The exterior surface thereof may be roughened, or provided with finger grips, if desired. While socket head screws are shown throughout the drawing views, those of course may be of any other type suitable for the performance of the functions assigned to them. The device will accommodate welding rods or electrodes of various sizes. as is evident.

What is claimed is:

1. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, a metallic cage including a forward sleeve and a rear sleeve of equal external diann eters, and means electrically connecting said sleeves in spaced relationship rigidly and in axial alignment, the forward sleeve having a seat notch to accommodate a welding electrode, an elongated clamp shaft formed wholly of insulating material, and supported within the bore of the forward sleeve for axial reciprocation, said shaft having a forward end projecting beyond the forward sleeve, a rear end projecting beyond the opposite end of said forward sleeve, and an intermediate portion bored transversely to receive the electrode, spring means yieldingly urging the shaft in the direction of the forward sleeve, from a position at which the transverse bore registers with the seat notch, to a position at which said bore .passes forwardly :beyond the seat notch, means for connecting the rear sleeve with a source of electric energy, an insulated tubular handle slidably mounted uponthe cage in covering relationship to the rear sleeve, and a removable insulated capsurrcunding thefc-rward sleeve and part of the projecting end of the insulated clamp shaft.

2. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, a metallic cage including a forward sleeve and a rear sleeve of equal external diameters, and means electrically connecting said sleeves in spaced relationship rigidly and in axial alignment, the forward sleeve having a seat notch to accommodate a Welding electrode, an elongated clamp shaft formed Whollyof insulating material, and supported Within the bore of the forward sleeve for axial reciprocation, said shaft having a forward end projecting beyond the forward sleeve, a. rear end projecting beyond the opposite end of said forward sleeve, and an intermediate portion bored transversely to receive the electrode, spring means yieldingly urging the shaft in the direction of the forward sleeve, from a position at which the transverse bore registers with the seat notch, to a position at which said bore passes forwardly beyond the seat notch, means for connecting the rear sleeve with a sourceof electric energy, an insulated tubular handle slidably mounted upon the cage in covering relationship to the rear sleeve, and a removable insulated cap surrounding'the forward sleeve and part of the projecting end of the insulated clamp shaft, said connecting rneans of the rear sleeve having contact with the tubular handle to normally preclude sliding thereof relative to the sleeves.

3. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, a metallic cage including a forward sleeve and a rear sleeve of equal external diameters, and means electrically connecting said sleeves in spaced relationship rigidly and in axial alignment, the forward sleeve having a seat notch to accommodate a welding electrode, an elongated clamp shaft formed wholly of insulating material, and supported within the bore of the forward sleeve for axial reciprocation, said shaft having a forward end projecting beyond the forward sleeve, a rear end projecting beyond the opposite end of said forward sleeve, and an intermediate portion bored transversely to receive the electrode, a socket member including means to clamp an electric conductor, and comprising a body of the same diameter as the sleeves and a reduced end portion transversely bored, said reduced end portion being accommodated in the bore of the rear sleeve, a spring compressed between the reduced end portion of the socket member and the rear end of the clamp shaft, for constantly projecting the forward end of the shaft beyond the forward sleeve, a tubular handle of insulating material slidable axially upon the cage in covering relationship thereto, a removable cap of insulating material surrounding the forward sleeve, and means in the form of a screw passing through the handle, the rear sleeve, and the transverse bore of the socket membar, for simultaneousl fixing the position of the handle, the socket member, and the cage.

4. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, a metallic cage including a forward sleeve and a rear sleeve of equal external diameters, and means electrically connecting said sleeves in spaced relationship rigidly and in axial alignment, the forward sleeve having a seat notch to accommodate a welding "electrode, an elongated clamp shaft formed wholly of insulating material, and supported within the bore of the forward sleeve for axial reciprocation, said shaft having (a forward end projecting beyond the forward sleeve, a rear end projecting beyond the opposite end of said forward sleeve, and an intermediate portion bored transversely to receive the electrode, a socket member including means toclamp an electric conductor, and comprising a body of the same diameter as the sleeves and a reduced end portion transversely bored, said recluced'end portion being accommodated inthe'bcre of the rear sleeve, a spring compressed between the reduced end portion of the socket member and the rear end of the clamp shaft, for constantly projecting the forward-end of the shaft beyond the forward sleeve, a tubular handle of insulating material slidable axially upon the cage in covering relationship thereto, a removable cap of insulating material surrounding the forward sleeve, and means in theform of a screw passing through the handle, the rear sleeve, and the transverse bore of the socket member, for simultaneously fixing the position of the handle, the socket member, and the cage, said screw limited in length to the diameter .of the cage, whereby a full advancement of the screw transversely within the limits of the cage releases the handle for axial shifting movement over the latter.

5. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, a metallic cage including a forward sleeve and a rear sleeve of equal external diameters, and means electrically connecting said sleeves in spaced relationship rigidl and in axial alignment, the forward sleeve having a seat notch to accommodate a welding electrode, an elongated clamp shaft formed wholly of insulating material, and supported within the bore of the forward sleeve for axial reciprocation, said shaft having/a forward end projecting beyond the for Ward sleeve, a rear end projecting beyond the opposite end of said forward sleeve, and an intermediate portion bored transversely to receive the electrode, a socket member including means to clamp an electric conductor, and comprising a body of the same diamete as the sleeves and a reduced end portion transversely bored, said reduced end portion being accommodated in the bore of the rear sleeve, a spring compressed between the reduced end portion of the socket mem her and the rear end of the clamp shaft, for constantly projecting the forward end. of the shaft beyond the forward sleeve, a tubular handle of insulating material slidable axially upon the cagein covering relationship thereto, a removable cap of insulating material surrounding the forward sleeve, and-means in the. form of a screw passing through'the handle, the rear sleeve, and the transverse bore of the socket member, for simultaneously fixing the position of the handle, the socket member, and the cage, said screw being limited in length to the diameter of the cage, whereby a full advancement of the screw transversely within the limits of the cage releases the handle for axial shifting movement over the latter, and means precluding rotation of the clamp shaft relative to the cage.

-6. A. welding electrode holder comprising in combination, an interior metallic cage of tubular sleeve formation having a forward end portion and a rear end portion of equal external diameters, said cage being transversely channeled near the :forward end portion to provide a seat for a welding electrode, a transversely bored clamp shaft having a free end of insulating material projecting beyond the forward end portion of the cage, said shaft being reciprocable within the bore of said forward end portion, with the bore thereof registrable with the seat aforesaid, a socket membe having a bore to accommodate an electric conductor, and a reduced end on the socket member received in the bore of the rear end portion of the cage, said socket member being of the same external diameter as the cage, a spring compressed between the reduced end portion of the socket membe and the opposite end of the clamp shaft, to constantly urge the free end of the shaft forwardly of the cage, a tubular longitudinally shiftable handle of insulating material surrounding the cage, and means for releasably securing the handle to the socket membe and the cage.

7. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, an interior metallic cage of tubular sleeve formation having a forward end portion and a rear end portion of equal external diameters, said cage being transversely channeled near the forward end portion to provide a seat for a welding electrode, a transversely bored clamp shaft having free end of insulating material projecting beyond the forward end portion of the cage, said shaft being reciprocable within the bore of said forward end portion, with the bore thereof registrable with the seat aforesaid, a socket member having a bore to accommodate an electric conductor, and a reduced end on the socket member received in the bore of the rear end portion of the cage, said socket member being of the same external diameter as the cage, a spring compressed between the reduced end portion of the socket member and the opposite end of the clamp shaft, to constantly urge the free end of the shaft forwardly of the cage, a tubular longitudinally shiftable handle of insulating material surrounding the cage, and means for releasably securing the handle to the socket member and the cage, said last mentioned means comprising a screw of limited length passing through the handle, the cage, and the reduced end of the socket member, the screw being of a length no greater than the diameter of the cage, whereby upon full advancement of the screw the head thereof leaves the handle free for longitudinal shifting movement in at least one direction along the cage, and a protective cap of insulating material removably secured to the forward end portion of the cage.

8. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, an interior metallic cage of tubular sleeve formation having a forward end portion and a rear end portion, said cage being transversely channeled near the forward end portion to provide a seat for a welding electrode, a transversely bored clamp shaft having a free end of insulating material projecting beyond the forward end portion of the cage, said shaft being rcciprocable within the bore of said forward end portion, with the bore thereof registrable with the seat aforesaid, a socket member having means for attaching an electric conductor, one end of the socket member being fixed to the rear end portion of the cage, a spring compressed between the end portion of the socket member and the opposite end of the clamp shaft, to constantly urge the free end of the shaft forwardly of the cage, and a handle of insulating material surrounding the cage.

9. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, an interior metallic cage including a forward sleeve, a rear sleeve, and means electrically connecting sleeves in spaced relationship rigidly and in axial alignment, the forward sleeve having a seat notch to accommodate a welding electrode, a transversely bored clamp shaft having a free end of insulating material projecting beyond the forward sleeve of the cage, said shaft being reciprocable within the bore of said forward sleeve, with the bore thereof registrable with the seat aforesaid, a socket member having means for attaching an electric conductor, and means fixing said socket member to the rear sleeve, a spring compressed between the reduced end portion of the socket member and the opposite end of the clamp shaft to constantly urge the free end of the shaft forwardly of the cage, an insulated tubular handle mounted upon the cage in covering relationship to the rear sleeve, and an insulated cap surrounding the forward sleeve and part of the projecting end of the insulated clamp shaft.

19. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, an interior metallic cage including a forward sleeve, a rear sleeve, and means electrically connecting said sleeves in spaced relationship rigidly and in axial alignment, the for ward sleeve having a seat notch to accommodate welding electrode, a transversely bored clamp shaft having a free end of insulating material projecting beyond the forward sleeve of the cage, said shaft being reciprocable Within the bore of said forward sleeve, with the bore thereof registrable with the seat aforesaid, a socket member having means for attaching an electric conductor, and an end of the socket member received in the bore of the rear sleeve of the cage, said end being transversely bored, a spring compressed between the end of the socket member and the opposite end of the clamp shaft, to constantly urge the free end of the shaft forwardly of the cage. tubular handle of insulat ing material slidable axially upon the cage in covering relationship thereto, and means in the form of a screw passing through the handle. the rear sleeve, and the transverse bore of the socket member, for simultaneously fixing the position of the handle, the socket member, and the cage, said screw being limited in length to the diameter of the cage, whereby a full advancement of the screw transversely within the limits of the cage releases the handle for axial shifting movement.

11. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, an interior metallic cage of tubular sleeve formation having a forward end portion and a rear end portion. said cage being trans versely channeled near the forward end portion to provide a seat for a welding electrode, a transversely bored clamp shaft having a free end of insulating material projecting beyond the forward end portion 15 the cage, said shaft being reciprocable within the bore of said forward end portion, with the bore thereof registrable with the seat aforesaid, a socket member having means for attaching an electric conductor, one end of the socket member being received in the bore of the "ear end portion of the cage, a spring compressed between the end portion of t" e socket member and the opposite end of the clamp shaft, to constantly urge the free end of the shaft forwardly of the cage, a handle of insulating material surrounding the cage, and a cap of insulating material surrounding the forward sleeve.

12. A welding electrode holder comprising in combination, a metallic cage including a forward sleeve, a rear sleeve, and means electrically connecting said sleeves in spaced relationship rigidly and in axial alignment, the forward sleeve having a seat notch to accommodate a welding electrode, an elongated clamp shaft supported within the bore of the forward sleeve for axial reciprocation, said shaft having an insulated for- Ward end projecting beyond the forward sleeve, a rear end projecting beyond the opposite end of the forward sleeve, and an intermediate section bored transversely to receive the electrode, a socket member including means to clamp an electric conductor, and a transversely bored end portion accommodated in the bore of the rear sleeve, a spring compressed between the end portion of the socket member and the rear end of the clamp shaft, for constantly projecting the forward end of the shaft beyond the forward sleeve, a handle of insulating material surrounding the cage, a cap of insulating material surrounding the forward sleeve, and means in the form of a screw 10 passing through the handle, the rear sleeve, and the transverse bore of the socket member, for simultaneously fixing the position of the handle, the socket member, and the cage. 

